Feel like you’re running on empty? This might tell you why and what to do about it.
We live in a hectic world, with many demands on our time, packed schedules, and constant obligations. It’s no wonder we’re tired half the time. However, there might just be another reason (or reasons) you feel so absolutely exhausted.
Here are some common culprits as to why you are so drained:
1. You don’t sleep enough
Seems like common sense, right? Yes, but for a different reason. Sure, you need the rest, but there’s more going on inside your body when you sleep at night. Growth hormone, a protein made by the pituitary gland, plays a role in making muscles healthy and bones strong. It affects how our bodies collect fat (especially around the stomach area) and it helps balance the ratio of good to bad cholesterol. It’s also essential for normal brain function. A deficiency in this hormone leads to fatigue, decreased strength and stamina, and depression symptoms. Human growth hormone is secreted primarily when we sleep, so seven and a half to eight hours of high-quality sleep each night will not only help keep weight and pain down, but boost your energy levels as well.
2. You eat too much junk
While sugar may give a quick energy boost, it does the opposite in the long run. All those that end in –ose (like glucose, dextrose, maltose and sucrose) will leave you sluggish. Research shows that fast food also puts you in biological lethargy.
3. You don’t drink enough water
Dehydration can be a major cause of fatigue. Instead of sugar, a glass of water may be the boost you need. Keep your mouth moist all day. If your mouth or tongue starts to feel dry, drink more water. And remember this rule of thumb: Your pee should be light yellow to clear. If it’s brighter and darker yellow, you need to drink more water.
4. Not enough vitamin B
Vitamin B is essential for your mitochondria to turn glucose into energy. Most people do not get enough vitamin B in their diets. Try taking a vitamin in the morning and evening. It’ll help energize you and keep your levels stable. There’s no harm in it since you’ll excrete any excess water-soluble vitamins.
5. You’ve got an infection
Infection and inflammation can be major contributors to having low energy. Floss regularly to lower your gum inflammation risk. Reduce sinusitis with a neti pot. Use probiotics to treat prostatitis, vaginitis and bowel infections. With viral infections, frequent hand washing, sleeping and avoiding saturated fats and simple sugars can help.
6. Move around more
Get the blood circulating. Even something as simple as walking can jump-start your energy. When you get your body moving, nitric oxide is released from the artery linings to allow blood to move freely through your vessels. This helps get more nutrients to your cells. Your body responds to your actions. If you tell your body you’re couch bound and watching television all night, it will reduce energy production. If you tell your body that you need to have a brisk morning walk, it responds by giving you the energy you need.
7. Hormonal imbalance
There are many hormones that factor in to how you feel. Hormones function like dimmers on headlights. When you need bright lights, you turn on certain hormones to increase the energy to that area, and decrease usage elsewhere. While the fine-tuning starts in your hypothalamus and pituitary, the two primary sources of trouble are slow-functioning thyroid and adrenal glands. Take this little test concerning adrenal hormones: Do you become “hangry?” When you’re hungry, do you quickly switch to feeling so irritable and ravenous that if you don’t eat soon, you’ll commit a felony? If so, there’s a good chance that your adrenal glands may not be working properly.
8. You’re insulin resistant
Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes. It makes it hard to get sugar (our body’s fuel) to our energy production plants. If you have insulin resistance, your body distributes the sugar into fat storage rather than storing it in the cells, which need it to produce energy.
Knowing your body and being aware of your daily routines is important to establish a healthy lifestyle. Keep an eye out for any of these trouble areas and see what you can do to proactively power up.
Joe McGee/Pazoo